The exact amount of the stolen money is yet to be known. But as per preliminary investigation, there were around Rs 5 lakh in the locker.

The accused also took closed circuit cameras (CCTV) installed inside the bank(Reuters/Representative image)

Some unidentified thieves decamped after stealing Rs 5 lakh from a Central Cooperative Bank branch of Varnala village, 30 km from the district headquarter in the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

The accused also took closed circuit cameras (CCTV) installed inside the bank. In his complaint, Kulwant Singh, a peon said he came to the bank on Monday at 9:30 am to find the bank’s gate opened and a broken locker.

On getting the information, senior police officers reached the spot and began the investigation.

Valtoha police station, SHO, Harchand Singh said, “On the complaint of bank employee, a case under Section 457 (lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), 380 (theft in dwelling house) and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against unidentified thieves.”

SHO said as the cashier and other employees of the bank were on leave, the exact amount of the stolen money is yet to be known. But as per preliminary investigation, there were around Rs 5 lakh in the locker. “Efforts are being made to identify and arrest the accused,” he said.